perfect standing in Christ.  The hope of glory of Romans 5 finds its echo in

`Christ ... the hope of glory', in Colossians 1:27.  Just as tribulations are

closely associated with access and reconciliation in Romans 5, so we find

them in Colossians 1:24.  `I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am

filling up the remainder of the tribulations of Christ in my flesh, on behalf

of His body, which is the church'.

Paul's apostleship to the Gentiles is first of all indicated in

Galatians 1 and 2, and 2 Corinthians 11 and 12.

The stress upon Abraham and the Gentile in Galatians and Romans shows

that reconciliation in progress.  A great preparation for its acceptance is

made in 1 Corinthians, followed by its proclamation in 2 Corinthians, and it

underlies the whole of the teaching in the epistle to the Romans, which we

summarize as follows:

Reconciliation and the Nations.

Romans 1:18-32 shows the Gentiles' utter need.  Romans 3:29,30

shows the levelling effect of the gospel, and Romans 11:15 the

reconciliation in its dispensational character.

Reconciliation and the Law.

The presence of the law, and its connection with the

old covenant and works of the flesh, emphasized fleshly

distinctions as between circumcision and uncircumcision, and

barred reconciliation (3:10-20; 4:15; 5:20; 7:7).

Reconciliation and Practice.

The acceptance of the Gentiles by God is seen in Romans 15:16,

and, in turn, their acceptance by believing Hebrews is prayed for

in Romans 15:30,32.  All were to be received as Christ had

received them, so that with `one mouth' both Jewish and Gentile

believers might glorify God (15:6,7).

Reconciliation and the Secret.

The secret of Romans 16 does not refer to Ephesians 3, but to the

inner teaching of Romans 5:12 to 8:39.  The relationship of Adam

to the race provides a type of the relationship of Christ to the

race, and leads on as a direct result of the reconciliation of

Romans 5:10,11, `we have now received the reconciliation'; `being

reconciled, we shall be saved by His life'.

Reconciliation operates now, as a basis, it is not a goal in itself.

Reconciliation is to be received, to be enjoyed, and the Ambassador beseeches

us to be reconciled to God.  The reconciliation of the world came into

operation when the national privileges and distinctions of Israel were

passing away, but it must not be confused with the resulting blessings that

have come in its train.  There is `much more' than reconciliation.

If we have received this reconciliation, we have entered into peace

with God.  No sin is reckoned against us.  We have become the righteousness

of God in Christ; before us is the hope of glory, and for our present and